Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-24
TEE TOURTK SECTION.
OmeinI Statement Accompanying
It's Suspension tn Some Cases.

It's Suspension tn Some Gases.
lBy telegraph 70 the Dispa,chl
WASHINGTON, April 23.-The Inter
State Commerce Commission has caused
to lie published in official form for
distribution its recently-promulgated
ruling Gin the matter OF the petition
of the Order Of Railway Conductors -
oDd in the "matter of the petition of
the Traders and Travellers Uuion. "
The report shows the ruling to have
been prepared by Commissioner
Walker.
] he commission sat with closed doors
to-day, and will leave here for the South
Monday morning.
Secretary Moseley will remain in
charge of the commission in Washing
ton.
The following is an official statement
prepared 10y the Interstate Commerce
Commission to accompany its orders
in the matter Of the trans-continentsl
railroads.
The commission has made orders,
upon the application of the Southern
Pacific, Northern Pacific, Atchison.
Topeka, and Santa FG, and st. Louis
ana San Francisco railroad companies
for relief from the operation of section
Of the "Act to regulate com
merce," permitting carriers to estab-
hsh rates to and from the Pacific
coast at less amounts than to and from
Intermediate points for period not
exceeding scventy-fve days. The re-
suit has been reached upon considera-
tons which are not necessary to be
now stated in detail, but which appear
to leave no present alternative. IT is
i'll evidence before us that rates to and
from local points on some of the
trans-continontal lines have been some
what reduced since April 9Th, and
also that the through rates which pre-
vailed prior to April 9Th were the re-
suit of war of rates among the lines
and produced a discrepancy between
local rates and through rates, which,
the carriers agree, was unreasonable
and DO not desire 10 return to. The
commission is earnestly engaged in
considering the course which it Will
finally adopt III reference to section 4.
Many conflicting interests have indi-
Gated desire to be heard, and should
heve an opportunity before our final
decision is reached. All such persons
are invited to present facts and argu-
ments for purposes of this matter only
and without authorizing any general
practice of that nature in order to OBJ
tain the fullest information and afford
the most extended facilities TO distant
points Of the country. The commission
will receive aflidavits as to matters of
fact and printed or written arguments
on matters of fact or of law, which
should be presented without delay.
This invitation extends to the general
subject of questions arising under sec
ton I, and is not limited to the petit
lions Of trans-continental roads. Mean
while. the attention of carriers is direct
cd to the propriety of devoting the in
telmediate time TO the preparation and
adoption Of tariffs which shall attempt
to meetin good faith the requirements
of tie act 10 regulate commerce., giving
the same a fair and reasonable intcrpre-
iation in respect TO all its various fea-
lures. In making these orders the COM
mission does not finally determine upon
THEN propriety or justice, but only that,
pending investigations now in progress,
II is proper, right, and just that the per-
mission provided for be given, in order
that the general business OF the coun-
Try shall receive no unnecessary shock
or damage. The orders are intended
to prevent, as far as may be possible,
the occurrence of mischief in the pc
rod which, in a certain sense, is transi-
tionary, and which must of necessity
involve changes, the fnll extent OF
Which cannot at present be foreseen.